Chappel
United Reformed Church

Chappel lies eight miles west of Colchester along the A1124 and is in the heart of the scenic Colne valley. The area is mainly agricultural with small villages. It has become a sought-after place to live and many residents commute to London. Chappel has a primary school, a good pub and restaurant called the Swan and a small Anglican Church built in 1352. The Rector has four parishes in the benefice. Chappel shares a village hall, general stores and post office and a railway station with Wakes Colne, its neighbour. The population is less than five hundred as is Wakes Colne. An impressive railway viaduct spanning the valley is the village’s famous landmark and the East Anglian Railway Museum attracts a lot of visitors. The URC is the only main-stream nonconformist church within a four-mile radius; the nearest URC being six miles away. The Chapel as it is affectionately known, takes pride in being friendly and welcoming, a place of joy and witness, where tradition and new ideas mix within the heritage of the Protestant Reformed discipline.
	In 1901 the year in which Queen Victoria died, nine local people met together . . . ‘to establish a cause along free-church lines in the village’ and as a result, the Congregational Church was founded. A former builder’s storeroom was found to rent and convert to a chapel – today’s United Reformed church. It is small, seating around seventy people. Chairs instead of pews make it suitable for multi-functional use. The entrance is suitable for access by assisted wheelchair users. The adjoining meeting-room can be opened up to the chapel by way of folding doors. There is also a kitchen and single toilet. In 2001 the Centenary of the Church was celebrated when the entire premises were renovated and refurbished following an architect’s report. A colour-scheme drawn up by ICI has greatly enhanced the interior and the kitchen was given a complete make-over! Funding for the scheme was provided by various grants and energetic fund-raising by the small congregation, along with help from Lion Walk Church.
We are a small, but enthusiastic and active congregation meeting regularly for worship on Sundays at 6.30 pm – sometimes we join in united services. Coffee Mornings are held frequently. A Summer Barbecue, concerts, and talks on topical subjects are arranged from time to time. The Chapel is known locally for the quality of its music and enthusiastic hymn-singing. The fine small pipe-organ (enlarged in 1999) dates from circa 1840 and is registered by the British Institute of Organ Studies as being of national historical importance. Useful links: Local Information for Essex – LIFE Chappel Village website National Pipe Organ Register entry for this pipe-organ